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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to just have completely lost my shit at OH?

102 replies

User761 · 02/10/2018 13:14

I've just been a horrible bastard, and I'm not proud of it. I'm completely lost as to what to do though, nothing works.

For a bit of background, I suffer two illnesses that cause fatigue - so my existence is pretty much one of battling extreme fatigue where every single thing in my day takes about 50 x more effort than it ever used to. I'm tired of being tired, tired of battling illness, and tired of battling my OH on top. I try my very best to just push on, but there are of course bad days. I work full time, I'm run down because of my illnesses and work stress, I'm working overtime and just had to take
short A/L to try and recoup and catch up on things. In short, I'm not very well.

OH works full time. Higher earner, so does contribute more to bills. I'm in debt, which I'm now trying to sort. But what can I say, I'm just stressed, tired and feel like giving up.

So, the actual problem... house work. I do all the washing, drying folding washing etc every day, his job is to do the dishes, each day. He will pick up a hoover, tidy and sweep of his own accord. It's mostly me who mows the lawns, does shopping etc.

My problem is, though the household jobs were agreed, he doesn't stick to it. Dirty dishes will be left piling up in the sink for days, getting in the way of me able to use the sink without emptying it all and putting it back. I can't just go and cook a dinner, as we're short on pots and pans, cutlery, and space because often the dirty dishes aren't just in the sink, they're accumulating over the kitchen sides, too. I find it disgusting - it's dirty, messy, gets in the way and means that unless I'm prepared to do the dishes on top of the other things I do, when it's supposed to be his job, I simply can't even cook a decent meal as all the kitchen ware is dirty. I have tried speaking to him nicely about it, twice this week in fact - he agreed and has just 'forgotten', AGAIN. I always try talking about it, explaining that it doesn't feel fair, and it's actually hindering me being able to do things like cook dinner or use the sink to fill a bucket of water etc. Last time I washed all the windows in the house, I told him it was his turn next - he didn't want to so said he'd hire a window cleaner - this was 4 months ago. He keeps forgetting... despite my constant nagging.

I'm tired of nagging. We're both messy people, I'm ill and just trying my best to get through my own shit, I don't have the energy for his as well. I've told him this.

I shouted, swore at him about it today. Bins full, so rather than have to empty the kitchen bin he's left a pizza box with left over food on the kitchen counter - meaning foods left about all day unless I do it, of course. Told him that since he was on late I'd now have to do his job of washing all the dishes as well as my own stuff before I could cook dinner... his response was "So?". I called him a sexist pig thinking it was my job to use my A/L doing his jobs as well as my own. I also called him a cunt. I'm not proud. I'm at the end of my tether.

I've spent my A/L so far getting blood tests, unblocking drains, hoovering up, doing deep clean on washing machine and getting washing/drying done, shopping orders, cleaning kitchen. I wanted to go out today to take some clothes to the charity shop and go visit a store I like. It takes a long time by bus. I feel overwhelmed and like I won't have time to do this, on top of everything else.

Sorry it's long. Please be kind, but very honest. Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
LilMadAgain · 02/10/2018 14:32

He sounds like an insensitive, lazy, selfish arse. Im petty enough to cook for myself, clean my own clothes only, put away my own things and clean up behind myself but Fuck. His. Shit. If a visitor comes and you're embarassed, tell them you only clean after yourself because he's a wanker. I have a chronic illness also and I know how draining it is to work hard alongside it, I could not cope without support and a well functioning system. You have my empathy op.

Cath2907 · 02/10/2018 14:33

I put up with this for years. My DH quit his job nine years ago and I work full time from home and my income is the only thing coming in. Whilst DD was small DH was a SAHD and looked after her during the day but did nothing at all else. I coooked and cleaned and shopped and did the finances and gardening and night waking and looked after the kid on the weekend. Fast forward and she went to school and nothing changed - despite lots of chats about it. All DH would ever do was the dishwasher and he moaned about that. DD is 8 now and DH and I have had a few fallings out over this during this year since we got a puppy (he wanted one!) that I now also look after. This finally culminated in my telling him I wanted a divorce. The house is now suddenly magically clean and the laundry is being done and the grass mowed..... but it isn't enough. The rows and the furstration and anger I have felt for so long has left me not liking him at all. Too little too late.

As I just found with my DH - he could do it if he wanted to he would just need to make it a priority and right now it isn't. Beware leaving the issue to fester!

NoSquirrels · 02/10/2018 14:40

Get him to read this: She Divirced Me Because I Left Dishes By The Sink

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/mustbethistalltoride.com/2016/01/14/she-divorced-me-because-i-left-dishes-by-the-sink/amp/

Tell him it’s not the dishes themselves, it’s the mental Fuck It, User Will Sort That attitude.

That every time he puts what you’ve asked for lower in the list than his own convenience he’s mentally saying you don’t matter.

If you were intending to start a family, do not have kids together until it is sorted.

Mitzimaybe · 02/10/2018 14:45

He is lying about forgetting. I bet he doesn't forget all the important things he has to do at work, does he? He just doesn't care, and he knows you will do it all if he leaves it long enough. YANBU for getting mad and swearing at him but if things don't change, what then?

He knows you are ill; he should be making extra effort. Instead he is doing nothing. He has no respect for you whatsoever. If he loves you, he has a funny way of showing it. "By their deeds shall ye know them" - and by his deeds, he is showing you that he doesn't care about you in the least.

Ngaio2 · 02/10/2018 14:47

A cleaner is not the answer to your problem unless he/she cleaned every day. How can you forget the dishes? It’s something done daily after every meal. Tell he he cannot go to bed until they are attended to. He must be just leaving them while he does something more appealing, selfish bastard!!!!
Waste of money to pay a cleaner to do dishes. Get the cleaner for the more physical jobs you find difficult because of your health issues.
Tell him to take responsibility for his own personal laundry. He’ll realise how much you do when he runs out of work clothes
Good luck

RothbardM · 02/10/2018 14:51

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AlphaBravo · 02/10/2018 14:56

@RothbardM what kind of answer is that? With a 8yr old there is no reason he cant go and get a fucking job either. Just like any sahm would!!

Clutterbugsmum · 02/10/2018 14:56

I’d be inclined to stick post it notes to his computer. Except I would use super glue to it

RothbardM · 02/10/2018 14:59

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Spaghettijumper · 02/10/2018 15:03

I've reported Rothbard.

LucyMorningStar · 02/10/2018 15:04

@RothbardM you ok hun Confused

LemonysSnicket · 02/10/2018 15:04

I'd have gone catatonic on him tbh. He's pathetic

LemonysSnicket · 02/10/2018 15:06

And I find that men often find it easier to walk out silently than not shout back. It's because he knows you're right but he's going to ignore you until you stop mentioning it because you're scared you've upset him

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 02/10/2018 15:09

A cleaner will help with the big jobs eg cleaning the bathroom but not every day washing up. If he 'forgets' is there anything else you could do to remind him eg set a daily alarm on his phone for the evening to wash up? Otherwise I think I'd just buy myself a ready meal and leave him to it, and see what happens. Everyone has different standards of cleanliness but everyone also has to compromise especially as it's making you more ill

Itsnotabingthingisit · 02/10/2018 15:10

This isn't about the tasks, it's the lack of respect and thoughtlessness.

By not doing the washing up. he is basically saying he doesn't care about your health or your feelings.

I would leave. Stay with a friend, travel back home and live with family even. If you have to leave your job, so be it.

You can start again. No-one should be this unhappy.

Take control of your life, because your partner will not change.

newyorkartist · 02/10/2018 15:15

He has his lovely points of course, as I have my bad points too. He left the house without saying a word/engaging, which probably takes a lot of willpower to not resort to shouting back.

Please tell me this isn't an example of his lovely points.

I think he sounds awful, but you also sound like you're being a bit of a doormat. I appreciate if you're dealing with relentless fatigue that it must be hard to stick up for yourself, but you also sound like you have underlying self-esteem issues. I think I would be looking at that as well as at practical solutions.

steppemum · 02/10/2018 15:27

tell him that 18 year old students leave their dirty dishes round for days, adults don't.

If he needs reminding, then HE has to set up the reminders, phone alarms, write it on his computer, whatever works for him, he has to do HIMSELF.

Agree a time scale for jobs, eg washing dishes done same day as meal cooked. Or after dinner every day, or after breakfast every day, whatever works, but 24 hour limit.

If he can't stick to it, honestly, leave him, or kick him out.
I could NOT live with a man who behaves like a teenager!

Nanny0gg · 02/10/2018 15:33

ThanksHunkyJesus nailed it.

And why should the OP lower her standards? She's not asking for spotless, she's asking for liveable.

Seems to me OP, you already do lots of jobs that many women don't, in spite of your illness. If your OH (no 'partner') had any kindness in him he'd do many automatically and the others willingly when asked.

I bet he won't put his hands in his pockets to pay for any help, though...

PlinkPlink · 02/10/2018 15:42

I agree with you OP. It's not fair to be nagging him like you're his mother!!

I like the idea a PP suggested of swapping (sp?) the chores around.

I also like the idea of a cleaner. That could solve alot of issues.

Also a dishwasher? My OH and I fucking hate dishes. With a passion. It's the only thing in our house that really piles up. I hate doing it. He hates doing it. So we're going to get a dishwasher. We had one in our holiday lodge and it was amazing. Made life so much easier! I know you said you're in debt though so that may not be an option.

Get the window cleaner to come round every 4 weeks. He can drop in an invoice for one of you to pay.

Really, he should stop being a man-child and step up but it doesn't sound like it's going to work.

Really hope you get some rest and that this can be worked out OP.

StormTreader · 02/10/2018 16:01

"He left the house without saying a word/engaging, which probably takes a lot of willpower to not resort to shouting back. "

Seriously, the "good point" you are giving as an example is "when he drives me to breaking point with leaving me to do everything, hes nice enough to not shout back when he leaves so I have to deal with it all on my own"? If that's the best thing you can say then you need to get this guy out yesterday. At least if you were by yourself you wouldn't have his old pizza boxes to deal with!

Gabilan · 02/10/2018 16:07

He asks me to leave post it notes on his computer to remind him

Why on earth should you? It's still your task then, isn't it, it's just that he becomes the thing you operate to get the task done.

Leave a post-it on his computer saying your solicitor will be in touch and leave the stupid, lazy, unkind, selfish bastard to it.

ThanksHunkyJesus · 02/10/2018 16:19

If he 'forgets' is there anything else you could do to remind him eg set a daily alarm on his phone for the evening to wash up?

I think if I needed to micromanage my dh to this extent, I'd never have sex with him again. Seriously, how would you be able to look at him and desire him when you know he isn't even capable of washing up a few plates? As for getting a dishwasher - have a wild guess at who would end up loading and unloading it. Not exactly a long term solution is it?

The chores aren't the problem. The lazy arsehole you're saddled with is the problem.

MobMoll · 02/10/2018 16:21

I’m a full time SAHM and I work very part time, self employed six months out of the year. DH is a high earner, works 60 hrs a week. Two kids, a toddler and a SN teen. DH does all the outdoor maintenance, all the fixing things indoors, painting etc. I do all the housework and laundry. I cook a few nights a day. DH wouldn’t dream of letting me cut the grass or wash windows, and I don’t have a fatigue causing illness. YANBU, your DH isn’t keeping up his part of the deal. Tell him to do the windows and cut the grass, if he doesn’t do it in a week hire someone and let him pay for it. Have him pay for a cleaner to sort out the kitchen then moving forward you do the dishes but invest in a dishwasher or paper plates.

timeisnotaline · 02/10/2018 16:27

I’m afraid I’d have left him. We had these discussions early on in our marriage and when he started cooking after an almighty row I had a salmon fillet for one planned as my back up meal. I was never again going to cook for a lazy entitled shit. Mine changed. If yours won’t then....

ThanksHunkyJesus · 02/10/2018 16:29

Hire a cleaner and a gardener? Paper plates? Paper fucking plates? So this lazy arse doesn't have to actually lift a finger? so he can keep outsourcing all of his contribution to the household? Do people really believe what they're saying? Is that what you'd tell your daughter to do if she was with someone who cared so little for her wellbeing? Use paper plates? Then what? Put up with it for the next 40 years?